MyGolfSpy’s 10 Most Wanted Golf Courses – California

Our search for the best golf courses you can actually play moves from one end of the country (Florida) to the other.

California is home to near perfect weather and some of the most scenic golf you’ll find anywhere in the country. While some of it, the Monterrey Peninsula (home to 3 of the courses on this list) for example, can be pricey, that’s more than offset by a little muni just outside San Diego, and our #4 ranked course where greens fees start at under $50.

To build our list of the Most Wanted Golf Courses in California we used our #Datacratic process and stats from our partners at the TheGrint, a golf handicap and stat tracking service, whose extensive database contains more than 120,000 golf course reviews submitted by average golfers like you.

Here are the 10 Most Wanted Golf Courses in California.

#1 Pebble Beach Golf Links

“There are few golf thrills like teeing-up for the first time on Pebble Beach Golf Links. You sense the presence of golf’s biggest legends. You anticipate each and every storied hole while recounting some of the greatest moments in golf history.”

#2 Spyglass Hill Golf Course

“Opened in 1966, Spyglass Hill Golf Course features two distinctly different kinds of terrain that influence the way the holes look and play. The first five holes roll through sandy seaside dunes challenging you to carefully pick the safest path. The following 13 holes are cut through majestic pines with elevated greens and strategically placed bunkers and lakes to grab the errant shot. Hole names such as “Black Dog” and “Billy Bones” are hints for the unwary.”

#3 Aviara Golf Club

“The Aviara Golf Club overlooks the Batiquitos Lagoon nature preserve in beautiful Carlsbad, California. The only coastal California course designed by Arnold Palmer, Aviara Golf Club features a memorable layout: par 72 over 18 holes and 7,007 yards uniquely sculpted around rolling hillsides, native wildflowers, and plenty of bunker and water challenges.”

#4 Goose Creek Golf Course

“Nestled into the Hidden Valley Wildlife Area and meandering along the Santa Ana River, this beautifully manicured course is a golfer’s golf course. The greens are fast with a great layout and conditions that offer a challenging par 71 course along a demanding 6,556 yards. The Schmidt/Curely designed course will sufficiently challenge the experienced golfer while still allowing the novice golfer to enjoy oneself.”

#5 Oak Quarry Golf Club

“Oak Quarry is a thrilling, 18-hole, 72-par championship course, masterfully designed by Dr. Gil Morgan/Schmidt Curley Designs. The CGCOA’s 2011 Course of the Year winds through the picturesque jagged terrain of the historical Jensen Quarry. Since opening in 2000, this unparalleled course has received many awards including ‘Best Course Inland Southern California’, ‘Hole #14 rated Best Par 3 in Southern California’ and ‘Hole #4 Prettiest Par 4.'”

#6 The Links at Spanish Bay

“Links is an old Scottish word for sandy wasteland, usually near the sea, with bristly grasses and ever prevailing wind. The Links at Spanish Bay are so authentic that even the Monterey coastline mirrors the rugged, natural beauty of Scotland.”

#7 Pelican Hill Golf Club (Ocean North)

“Panoramic ocean views from every tee box are just the beginning. Open canyons and elevated plateaus dot the landscape, and at nearly 7,000 yards from the tips, your full attention is required. Several holes weave their way right down to the cliff’s edge, but great shots here require more than just a great camera. Lose your focus, and you might just lose the hole.”

#8 Torrey Pines Golf Course (South)

“Torrey Pines is a municipal course, owned and maintained by the City of San Diego. In 2001, celebrated golf course designer Rees Jones was given the task of remodeling the South Course, an endeavor that has been met with almost universal acclaim. Now an impressive 7,607 yards in length, the Torrey Pines South Course has been selected to host the 2008 United States Open Championship.”

#9 Half Moon Bay Golf Links (Ocean)

“From the firm and fast links style of the Ocean Course to the American traditional parkland style of the Old Course, with iconic cypress trees, dogleg fairways and distinguishing edges all leading to the most photographed final hole in golf – golfers are guaranteed a landscape that provides inspiration every time. Ideal playing conditions, salty breezes and enchanting coastal terrain put these two 18-hole championship Half Moon Bay golf courses on a par with Scotland’s greatest.”

#10 PGA West (TPC Stadium)

“A Pete Dye golf course, TPC Stadium delivers multiple adrenaline rushes throughout the round. Host to PGA TOUR “Q-School” Finals every other year, PGA TOUR hopefuls must navigate the island green of hole #17, known as Alcatraz, as well as the menacing water-lined 18th. Imagine needing to make par-par on two of the toughest finishing holes in golf to earn the coveted PGA TOUR card!”

California’s 10 Most Wanted

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49 Comments

flaglfr

3 years ago

I agree with the two post below. Pasatiempo is one of the most incredible courses in Cali. Where else in the state has Bobby Jones played? What other courses have ben designed by the same guy who did Augusta National? It isn’t as pretty with the current water restrictions, but it is still one hell of a course.

vegasgolfandsneakers

dwc

3 years ago

I just played Pasatiempo yesterday and it is in excellent shape. I would say the fairways were perhaps a little overwatered if anything as I had two huge drives stuck in their own divot mark. I think the course is getting a bad rap on the water restrictions. True, the have let the first 50-75 yards of each shot go brown, but who hits it there?

TomG

Jim

4 years ago

I’ve played Aviara, Pelican Hill, Torrey Pines South and PGA West TPC Stadium courses. In my humble opinion, Pasatiempo was far superior to any of the four I’ve played on this list. Second, PGA West Stadium may only charge $80, but only during the summer months with temperatures, on average, between 95 and 112 (which may also send you to the hospital with heat stroke, which cost me another $500 trying to play 36).

Ben

4 years ago

It is a good list. I like that there are courses I have never heard of. Oak Quarry and Goose Creek look like good tracts and not super expensive. It would be cool to have a list of the best courses in California categorized in price range. Then you can easily see what courses you want to play based on the price. In California, there is so many golf courses scattered all over the state that are not well known, but are superb tracks.

vegasgolfandsneakers

4 years ago

Couldn’t disagree less with your list. Edgewood is in Nevada. Coyote Moon isn’t in the same stratosphere as Pasatiempo. Pasa is Top 4 track in all of California public golf. Spanish Bay is getting 4 a side from Pasa.

Gene Kim

Ty

4 years ago

Did Pasatiempo come close to your top 10 ranking? I played 36 there a few weeks back and it was absolutely stunning how good that course is. #12 tee box was the downside as it was under construction (drilling a water well). Otherwise I would not balk at paying the green fee again.

Aaron M

vegasgolfandsneakers

4 years ago

Interesting. I agree with you about Pasa. But I’ve never heard anyone say anything bad about Spy.

Chal

4 years ago

I had the pleasure of doing a Pebble trip last year and played Pebble, Spyglass and Spanish. We flew into San Fran and played that day as well. Happened to pick Half Moon Bay as the course we played. I enjoyed all 4 very much. Half Moon Bay wasn’t that expensive to play. We got a discounted rate and it was $70 to play. Great trip.

Richard Valdez

Marty

4 years ago

Played them all. The fact that Oak Quarry made the list makes me question how you got your ratings. Other than the 14th hole nothing really stands out as spectacular, and the driveable par 4 first hole means getting started is a nightmare. There is a much better course just up the freeway with Oak in it’s name. Oak Valley is an infinitely better course and it’s in the same price range if that was used as a ratings statistic.

Tom54

4 years ago

Agreed, Marty. I’ve only played Aviara, Goose, Oak, and TPC. Oak Quarry is fun, but #5? I didn’t think Aviara was anything spectacular either. I only played it because a friend worked for the resort and got us on for $75. I’ve never played Oak Valley but I’ve played the Morongo courses across the freeway many times.

I’m really surprised Pasatiempo isn’t on the list. Now that’s a course. And I’ll throw in my home course, Rustic Canyon. A way better value than nearly all the courses on here.

Marty

Agree with both, especially Rustic Canyon! That place is the best bang for your buck course in California. Yeah, this list is weak, there are a ton of great courses north of San Fransisco, too.

Vincent s.

4 years ago

Agreed… Oak Quarry and Goose have a strong local following but they are nothing special (outside of no.14 at oak and the daily manicured conditions at goose). They may have value (price and quality) but by no means should they make the top 10 in California.. Regardless i will assume the folks at golfspy heavily factored in value (price you pay vs. what you get)… Both quarry and goose are under 50.00 on weekdays…

Ryan Heiman

Tim Halberg

4 years ago

Ryan Heiman yeah, my list would vary by about 50% from this list. But… I like that this list pulls up several “under rated” courses that are worth exploring – sadly they are all in So Cal – I’d say there are several that are better in nor cal, but… realistically we just need two states!

Tom54

4 years ago

Well, this certainly wasn’t the “Top 10 Values in California” list. Don’t forget the $43 booking fee that non-San Diego residents have to pay to play Torrey. And I’m guessing the Stadium rate of $80 is the summer rate.